"Ma ma ma ma! That little brat who was still so green back then has now grown into a figure no one can ignore!"
Recalling their earlier conversation, Big Mom frowned. During the exchange, she had repeatedly tried to probe into Roldy 's future plans and the strength of his subordinates. Yet despite her seasoned, roundabout questioning, Roldy hadn't revealed a single useful detail.
They had agreed on certain cooperative arrangements—after all, many of Roldy 's territories were critical maritime choke points. She had hoped to secure a share of the benefits, but things hadn't gone entirely her way.
"The situation on these seas is truly worrying…"
After thinking until her head began to ache, Big Mom decided to stop dwelling on it and instead shifted her attention to the cake in front of her.
…
"Mother, the tea party preparations are complete. The guests have all arrived."
Just past noon, Charlotte Katakuri entered and respectfully addressed Charlotte Linlin.
An invitation to Big Mom's tea party was not something just anyone could receive. Likewise, anyone qualified to attend would never dare refuse.
(Of course, invitations were not sent to monsters on the level of Kaido or Whitebeard. If they declined, Big Mom couldn't exactly storm their territories over it—and if she didn't, what would happen to her pride?)
"Ma ma ma ma! Is it already time?"
After devouring several tons of cake, Big Mom was only half full. She wiped the cream from her mouth and stood up.
"Oh right, Katakuri!"
She suddenly seemed to recall something.
"That fish-man under Roldy —Sheen, was it? Have your sisters spend more time interacting with him."
Her reasoning was simple. If Roldy himself couldn't produce an heir with her, then as his trusted subordinate, that fish-man Sheen would be a fine alternative. Setting aside his connection to Roldy , his strength alone made him highly desirable.
Their so-called alliance was built purely on mutual interest. But if Sheen were to take a liking to one of her daughters—forget one, even ten would be acceptable.
Given Roldy 's fiercely protective nature, the Big Mom Pirates would undoubtedly gain even more benefits.
"Yes."
Katakuri's eyes were shadowed.
Truthfully, he was dissatisfied with this decision. How could their mother treat his brothers and sisters like bargaining chips? Yet he was powerless. Unlike his elder brother Perospero, who acted as steward of the family, Katakuri—second son of the Charlotte Family—had long taken on the role of a father figure to many of his younger siblings.
But in this family, Charlotte Linlin held absolute authority. Even he could not change that.
…
In stark contrast to Katakuri's gloomy mood, the garden was lively and extravagant. Rows of pristine white tables were arranged in perfect order, gilded cutlery neatly set atop them. At the very least, Big Mom's taste was undeniably luxurious.
Roldy was seated at the largest table, occupying the seat of honor beside the head position—reserved, naturally, for Charlotte Linlin.
Crocodile and Sheen were assigned to a slightly smaller table. As for Roldy 's lower-ranking subordinates, they had no qualification to attend this tea party.
"Hey, hey, Little Croc!"
Sheen nudged Crocodile with his elbow, looking mysterious.
Crocodile, currently savoring a specialty biscuit cigar from Whole Cake Island, merely glanced at him with little interest.
"What's wrong with you? I've got something serious to say!"
"...Hmph. Then spit it out."
"You didn't know, right? Earlier, the boss told me—Charlotte Linlin, that crazy old hag, wants to have a child with him!"
That was one explosive piece of gossip.
The bitten-off cigar between Crocodile's teeth made it obvious he was startled. His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Sheen, who nodded vigorously.
Both of them turned toward Roldy at the other table, leaning closer together and whispering.
"You've got to be kidding. Looking like that, and the boss could still go through with it?"
"Exactly! My big brother's pretty dignified himself—how could that work? But I've come up with a brilliant idea!"
Sheen's eyes gleamed with what he clearly believed was genius.
Crocodile narrowed his eyes, unsure what madness was coming next. Sheen didn't keep him waiting. After glancing around to ensure no one was listening, he leaned in and whispered into Crocodile's ear.
"Why not let Brother Roldy himself—"
"The opportunity's already there. Whether it works out is up to fate!"
"Huh?"
Crocodile's face flushed slightly. No matter how cold his personality, he was still a woman in this story's depiction, and certain images inevitably surfaced in her mind.
When she looked up again, Sheen was staring at her expectantly.
"What exactly are you implying?"
Crocodile frowned.
"Ahem. Our boss is destined to become King. As they say, keep the benefits within the family. For something like that, doing it himself… wouldn't that lower his status a bit? So maybe you could—"
Sheen rambled on thoughtlessly—until he noticed the razor-sharp sand blade forming in Crocodile's hand.
He wisely shut his mouth.
"Tch. A woman who can't tell good from bad. No wonder you'll stay single forever."
Sheen turned away, still muttering under his breath.
Veins throbbed at Crocodile's temple.
Her ears, however, were red as fire.
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